Court will judge Kočner for an unprecedented crime

The closely watched process with Kočner and former economy minister Rusko starts in Pezinok.

Pavol Rusko (front) and Marián KočnerPavol Rusko (front) and Marián Kočner (Source: SME)

What is the case about and why is it one of the most closely watched cases in the history of the Slovak judiciary?
What is the role of Marian Kočner, the man who is also accused of ordering the murder of Ján Kuciak?
What is the evidence against Kočner and former economy minister Pavol Rusko?

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Read this story to find out.

On Monday morning, the Specialised Criminal Court will start hearings in the case of forging promissory notes. Marian Kočner, the businessman who appeared on the police's leaked mafia lists, and former director of the private television channel Markíza, Pavol Rusko, stand accused of marring justice.

SkryťTurn off ads

The closely watched process is scheduled to last six days, until Wednesday, July 31.

Related article Threats, scandals, and dubious political ties. Who is Marian Kočner? Read more 

For the first time, the onetime friend of Kočner and former journalist-turned-spy, Peter Tóth, will testify in front of the court against Kočner. He is also a witness against Kočner in the murder case. Kočner is charged with having ordered the murder of Ján Kuciak. Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová were killed in February 2018.

Kočner is not coming to the court. He has requested to be judged in absentia. Even so, it is expected to be one of the most closely watched court hearings in Slovakia's history.

Local and foreign journalists are planning to attend. The court has prepared a special room to observe the court session, since it is expected that the public will not be able to fit into the hearing room, which is equipped with the standard 20 seats.

SkryťTurn off ads

If Prosecutor Ján Šanta manages to convince the court that Kočner and Rusko, who also served as economy minister in the second government of Mikulas Dzurinda, are guilty, they might be sent to prison for 12 to 20 years.

Promissory notes are missing from the books

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad